Autistic British girl raped by US airman after meeting online
Autistic British girl raped by US airman (above) after meeting online
Wiltshire Police
An autistic British girl has been raped by an American airman after meeting on the online social media platform Snapchat.
Dennis Rocha, 18, who was stationed in the United Kingdom at the time, was jailed for six years and eight months.
Rocha was found guilty of abusing the 12-year-old girl while knowing she was underage.
The Californian airman made the conversation sexual after interacting with the pre-teen.
Swindon Crown Court, Wiltshire
PA
He later arranged to pick the unnamed girl up and travelled 140 miles from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk to meet the victim.
The pair met at her home address in Wiltshire in April.
Rocha took her to a secret spot and had sex with the underage victim in his car, Swindon Crown Court has been told.
Jurors were told intercourse with the 12-year-old was consensual and no force was used.
However, the victim described how angry she was with herself following the incident.
She also expressed a feeling of regret after the encounter.
The girl’s mother told police officers her daughter was diagnosed with autism at the age of four.
The youngster now reportedly has difficulties communicating, particularly with strangers.
She is also far more reluctant about socialising with friends.
The police’s impact statement stressed how the victim was “worried” she might be pregnant.
Judge James Townsend also said Rocha "had ample opportunity to think twice about what you were doing but you persisted".
He added: "You knew that she was far younger than you and obviously vulnerable.
American Air Force Base RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk
PA
“The fact she agreed to what was happening is no mitigation due to her age."
Rocha’s custodial sentence was given alongside an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
He must also sign the sex offenders’ register following his eventual release.
In a video link from Bullingdon Prison, Rocha told the court: "First off I just want to apologise to the family and anyone else I have hurt because of this incident.
An image of airman at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk
PA
“I wish this never happened... and I am so sorry, I hope you can forgive me and have mercy upon me."
Investigating officer DC Amanda Lord, of the Child Abuse Investigation Team, added: "Rocha instigated this encounter with the victim despite knowing she was underage.
“He knew what he was doing was illegal and had ample opportunity to cease contact with the victim, but continued and took advantage of her for his own gain.
"We take offences like these incredibly seriously and we will always look to protect children from predators such as Rocha and ensure perpetrators of sexual offences are put before the courts.
“I'd also like to commend the victim for her bravery and courage in speaking to us."